Guitar Hero Revival is Teased in the Most Awkward Way
Guitar Hero was once one of Activision’s biggest money makers before slowly fading out of relevance. Microsoft’s colossal $68.7 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard is on the verge of closure, with the reported date being this Friday, October 13. In light of this impending transition, Activision Blizzard purportedly convened an all-encompassing company meeting. At this assembly, CEO Bobby Kotick delved into his visionary outlook for the future of the video game industry, and this event featured an unexpected host, late-night TV personality and actor, James Corden, according to reports from Windows Central.
Kotick, who is anticipated to depart from Activision Blizzard once the deal is sealed, embarked on a journey through the company’s history. He acknowledged its humble beginnings as an independent entity, juxtaposed with its current status as an industry titan.
Venturing into the future, Kotick hinted at a potential transformation of interactive content using Elon Musk’s Neuralink, a brain-computer interface that can be implanted. This revolutionary technology could usher in a new era of gaming, one where players navigate virtual worlds without traditional controllers, potentially employing Neuralink, earpieces, or specialized headsets.
In addition, Kotick foresaw the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning as pivotal in the evolution of the gaming landscape. He emphasized the emergence of lifelike facial animations and emotional connections with in-game characters, a domain that is ripe for advancements, thanks to AI. Microsoft’s substantial investments in AI were noted, hinting at the boundless potential for growth in the gaming sphere once the Microsoft-Activision Blizzard acquisition is finalized.
Furthermore, during the town hall meeting, Kotick hinted at a potential revival of the Guitar Hero franchise, envisioning its resurgence, although no concrete plans have been laid out yet. This has been a recurring topic of discussion, with Kotick expressing interest in bringing Guitar Hero back under the Microsoft umbrella.
The long-anticipated Microsoft-Activision Blizzard merger was initially unveiled in January 2022, marking a substantial transition in the gaming industry. As the proposed deal’s finalization looms on October 13, the gaming community eagerly anticipates the potential outcomes and developments it may herald.
Additionally, amidst legal proceedings, a trove of Xbox-related emails and internal documents inadvertently surfaced, offering a unique, albeit dated, glimpse into Microsoft’s future gaming endeavors. These revelations have piqued the curiosity of industry observers, hinting at Microsoft’s ambitions in the gaming sector.